Zapiro Cartoon

31 May 2010Al-Quds Foundation SA hereby condemns the brutal attack on the aid-carrying freedom flotilla early this morning by the Israeli Occupation Forces, in which 16 people were killed and more than 30 injured, in international waters - a direct violation of international law. We further condemn the use of military force (helicopters, military boats surrounding the flotilla) and live ammunition against innocent, peaceful civilians.

We are appalled at the blatant disregard by Israel for the lives of the people on board the flotilla, for international laws barring such behaviour and for the many human rights violations that they have committed. We are, however, not shocked by Israeli behaviour as past actions prove that Israel has no respect for the law and even less so for human life as they continue to subject the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza, to the most inhumane oppression and occupation.

Furthermore we wish to state that we support the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh in their condemnation of the attacks.

We call on the South African government and the Department of Foreign Affairs to relook at South Africa’s ties with the racist, oppressive Israeli regime and take cognizance of the fact that this ‘state’ once supported Apartheid in South Africa. We are insulting and shaming our forefathers by continuing to support Israel and its many human rights abuses and violations. Their atrocities know no bounds and can no longer be denied or overlooked. We further call on the South African government to expel the Israeli ambassador from our country to ensure that our sovereignty not be tarnished by their illegal actions.

We also call upon the international regulatory bodies to hold Israel accountable for these and all other atrocities committed. Lastly, we offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and a speedy recovery to the wounded.